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US line to deploy mega ship from Southampton
Royal Caribbean International is to operate one of its largest ships from Southampton next summer.
The line is to use 3,835-passenger Navigator of the Seas on ex-UK cruises for the first time from April 2007.
Navigator will replace Legend of the Seas which started the US company’s first programme of sailings from the UK last summer.
In a significant rise in capacity, the move will boost the number of berths available to the UK trade by more than 1,500 per sailing. Navigator has 939 ocean view cabins, 707 with balconies.
A new 14-night Italian cruise; new Baltic itineraries and a number of two and four-night short-break cruises to Cork and Le Havre for Paris will be available.
It will be the first time that one of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager-class ships will sail out of the UK, with Navigator due to arrive on April 26, 2007. The line is deploying sister ship Voyage of the Seas in Europe for the first time this summer offering fly-cruises from Barcelona.
Navigator, launched in December 2002, features an ice-rink, rock climbing wall, miniature golf course, in-line skating tracks and a shopping mall with bars, shops, and restaurants. The vessel will be compete head-to-head with Canrival UK rivals P&O Cruises and Cunard which both operate from their base at Southampton in summer.
The ship’s children and teenager’s area is currently the largest in the Royal Caribbean International fleet.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines UK and Ireland managing director Robin Shaw said: “As a leading player in the fastest growing and most dynamic sector of the travel and leisure industry, we are working hard to feed the demand for our cruises from the UK market.
“It’s widely recognised that our ships are the most innovative at sea and we predict that the decision to bring a Voyager class ship to the UK will be very well received by both trade partners and guests alike.
“Navigator of the Seas reinforces our commitment to invest in the UK cruise market, specifically with one of our newest and most ground-breaking ships.”
Report by Phil Davies
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